flyboy6554

Met Hoop in the 70's at zhills. He was always good to me when I was a really novice jumper. RIP.

And Milt Brinkman just married a 19 year old stripper he met at Jezebel's, and she's bringing one of his old rigs out to sell to you if you want it......a mint condition 7 cell cruise lite in an original Wonderhog.......

And Norm hasn't taken a shower in over a year and a half!!

Martin I think he's jumping out at Suppesville now. BAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Sad news....first met Gary when I was a student naval aviator in Kingsville Tx, around 1978. He was just getting started with his dz near Beeville TX. Always a super good guy. Rest In Peace, brother.

Truly a terrific guy with a great heart and a true passion for the sport....I spoke with him frequently over the years about some local airport access issues and some of the politics that goes with USPA. He was always a strong advocate for the everyday skydiver. I spoke with him just a couple weeks ago even though I have moved out of his region. Very sad to hear this news.

Truly a great guy.....hadn't seen him in many years.....

I weigh 196 so exit weight around 226 or so.....I have no data for fall rate my altitude warning device doesn't provide that data......seemed a bit softer but altitude for opening seemed about the same.....like I said, not very scientific.

OK...made three jumps today on a domed slider from Aerodyne (thanks Marcia!!).....it was sized for a Pilot 188 and just slightly larger in both dimensions than my current slider that came with my Nitron 170....but it was a domed version.....had significantly slower and buttery soft opening subterminal and a somewhat softer than normal opening at terminal....not a scientific study and no velocity data to back it up but think it was a winner for me.

Did a bunch of jumps with Eric as a fledgling AFF instructor at Skydive El Dorado in Kansas back in the early 90’s.....he was a great guy, terrific instructor and always very humble.....super good memories!!

Thanks for the update.....Just borrowed a domed slider from Aerodyne for my Nitron 170 but haven't tried it out yet.

Did Steve ever organize during the winter at Z-hills?? Wonder if I knew him.....

Nimbus 9 cell F-111 230 sq feet......

Proud of you Stratostar!!!! Well done!!!!!

I've been jumping at Glidersports for about a year. They are the new best DZ in the area, and it is not just the incredible facilities and aircraft, it is the PEOPLE who run the place. very professional, safe, and dedicated to helping everyone regardless of experience. Couldn't find a nicer bunch, whether it is your first jump or your 1000th jump, Glidersports is the place to be. I've been in the sport over 40 years.

I've been jumping at Glidersports for about a year. They are the new best DZ in the area, and it is not just the incredible facilities and aircraft, it is the PEOPLE who run the place. very professional, safe, and dedicated to helping everyone regardless of experience. Couldn't find a nicer bunch, whether it is your first jump or your 1000th jump, Glidersports is the place to be. I've been in the sport over 40 years.

I've got a LOT of jumps on a 5TU!!!!!...and a PAPILLON......!!!!

another vote for Glidersports......great staff and nice airplanes.......!!!

PSYCHO PACK!!!!!!!!!!

I left Okinawa in 1989.......so this is REALLY old info.....at one time there was a USMC/Interservice sport parachute club but we only got to jump about once or twice a year during airshows at Kadena with military airlift....after I left someone finally got permission to jump regularly at one of the out islands, at least for a while.....there was also a so so active club at Clark AB Phillipines....well, there is no more Clark AB but I understand the jump activity is still there......I've heard the Tokyo skydiving is so expensive it is beyond most of our budgets.....I know this info has all been useless, but, well, I just had to add it!!

.......Just about as inappropriate a comment as I've ever seen, but not a surprise from an anonymous troll who registered a week ago...... Sad that someone has tried to link the tragic mishap that killed Brad Giffin, an experienced skydiver, with anything to do with the topic of this thread or anyone's competence or judgment. You should be ashamed......and I bet you already regret posting this comment.

See Jeremy I have the same problem with you.....this meeting was not widely publicized or announced on any dz forums...yet there you were..in what capacity???? An interested neutral jumper or a designated spy for Jen Sharp, who despite her protests has kept a pretty close eye on any potential competing drop zones in her area. And how did you even KNOW about this meeting??? This same topic came up several years ago when Jen made a run for this same office, and my problem is whether anyone who is a dz manager/owner can really give their unbiased support to a potential NEW dz if it represents possible competition in the same area.....I realize it's easy to come up with crackpot conspiracy theories way after the fact, but the reality is that too many people in the Kansas City area are guilty of trying to suppress new drop zones, for a variety of reasons, most of which were self serving.......and it's all "not personal....just business" until it's time to run for some elected office.....and it's tough for me to bury the past and hope that you'd be a fair minded regional director when this dark cloud is floating around your head.

Good answer Jeremy......are you aware of the airport access issue at the Lawrence Municipal airport and what are your thoughts concerning that location?......and what, if anything, have you done to support skydiving at that federally funded airport?

OK Jeremy......so where do you stand on my personal hot button topic of airport access on federally funded airports??....it's a recurring issue around the KC area......

So exactly which dz's do you currently manage and/or instruct at??